Networking tips: How to connect your business to the local community
Community matters, and one of the best ways to promote your business is to help out in your local area. While support for local causes can be shown through significant one-off charity donations, taking a proactive approach to corporate altruism could do more for your company.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best ways to get your community outreach off the ground.
Why get involved?
Whether you’re a recent start-up or a national company, supporting local events, charities and causes will increase awareness and cultivate trust in your brand.
Marketing opportunities, including posting photos of your colleagues undertaking volunteering work, are an immediate benefit. As far as networking is concerned, word of mouth can be equally powerful in fostering a culture of positivity.
1. Volunteer with local charities
In recent years, employees from a range of industries have been encouraged to take individual volunteering leave. If this sounds like something you’d like to promote within your company ethos, why not give it a go?
Focusing on local causes including youth centres, hospices, and charities to support people living in poverty could be a great place to start. Just remember to make sure that you’re following any relevant guidelines and advice on volunteering during coronavirus.
2. Sponsor local events
From primary school funfairs to food markets, events in your local area could make a great opportunity to make your debut as a headline sponsor. With the name of your brand appearing on merchandise and publicity, it’s almost guaranteed to boost a positive perception.
Before the event, why not help the organiser to raise awareness of their event through a fundraiser? Get the whole team involved either inside or outside the office and you could help to strengthen internal relationships, too.
3. Run workshops and seminars
Why not hold an event that showcases your specific niche or area of expertise? If you’ve got a motivated team ready to help out on the day, you could deliver a great presentation on entrepreneurship, leadership, or professionalism to help inspire others within your community.
Plus, at a convenient time during the session, you could pass around bespoke business cards to give people an opportunity to find out more about what you do.
4. Join the local chamber of commerce
Another great way to use the reader’s knowledge of business and trade to the advantage of your company is to support wider growth via the chamber of commerce. These are modern, dynamic business communities across the UK, helping others to realise their potential.
However you choose to get your company more involved locally, every effort to promote a positive, generous company culture will prove rewarding for your professional success and reputation.